(WASHINGTON, ABC) -The White House could decide this week whether the U.S. will begin providing arms to the opposition forces in Syria as President Bashar al-Assad’s military appears to be gaining the upper hand after more than two years of fighting.
A high-level meeting is scheduled for Wednesday between President Obama and his national security staff following groundwork prepared by the Departments of State and Defense.
Al-Assad’s chances of remaining in power have taken a marked upturn since his government began employing the services of Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon and began receiving more advanced weaponry from allies Russia and Iran.
The Obama administration has been reluctant to arm the rebels in fear that groups with al Qaeda links could ultimately receive arsenals intended for those seeking a democratic Syria free of militant Islamic ties.
However, while Obama will be presented with a wide variety of options, it’s believed he’ll approve some weaponry for moderate rebel forces, under very strict guidelines.
While the assistance will undoubtedly be welcomed, it could prove to be too little, too late if the Syrian military keeps making gains.
Last week, pro-government forces took control of the strategic western town of Qusair and are now poised to make a move on the city of Homs, one of the flashpoints of the uprising against al-Assad’s rule that began in March 2011.
